Collapsible table



s. c. M KENNEY 1,961,241 COLLAPSIBLE TABLE Filed Feb. 11, 1933 2Sheets-Sheet l f7 &

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GOLLAPSIBLE TABLE Filed Feb. 11, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig i fi 4/ 5 5 ag iff Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES COLLAP SIBLE TABLE Guy 0.McKenney, Winooski, Vt., assignor to Porter Screen Company, Winooski,Vt., a corporation of Vermont Application February 11, 1933, Serial No.656,270

14 Claims.

My invention relates to collapsible furniture and more particularly to anovel and efficient shelf for collapsible tables and the like.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a shelf so arrangedin relation to the collapsible legs of a table or the like that thetable may be readily and easily set up and may also be folded compactlyto allow storage in a minimum space. A further object is to provide ashelf which affords a maximum amount of supporting space, which does notdetract from the appearance of the article of furniture and which may beeconomically and durably constructed.

Other objects will be apparent from the drawings and from the followingdescription:

A recommended embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an erected collapsible table;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a collapsed table with the shelf foldedupwardly;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a collapsed table with the shelf foldeddownwardly;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a table partially collapsed;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of one form of shelf;

Fig. 7 is a reduced plan view of Fig. 4 with the table top removed; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a collapsed table showing a differentembodiment of shelf.

The particular embodiment of the invention shown for the purposes ofillustration in Figs. 1

to I inclusive comprises a table top 1, two pairs of legs 2-2 and 3-3,which may be pivotally secured together by the crosspiece 4 so that thelegs 3-3 can revolve about the crosspiece 4 as an axis. The legs 2-2 maybe pivotally attached to the top as at 5. The shelf 6 may be pivotallysecured to the legs 2-2 by the pivots or pins 7-7 which are preferablylocated at a distance from the upper longitudinal edges 26-26 of thelegs 2-2 substantially equal to one-half the thickness of the thickestportion of the shelf 6. Pins 8-8 may be placed on the inner faces of thelegs 3-3 to support the shelf in horizontal position when the table isin erect position.

By pivoting the shelf to the outer legs 2-2 and by placing the shelfsupports 8-8 in the inner set of legs 3-3, when the table is collapsedby re volving the end 11 of the legs 3-3 downwardly, as shown in Fig. 5,the shelf supports 8-8 are free from contact with any other part of the001- lapsed table as shown in Fig. 7.

A stop 9 may be secured to the under face of the top to hold the upperends 11 of the legs 3-3 in position when the table is erected, andadditional stops, for example 10, may be properly located to allow theheight of the table to be varied at the desire of the user. A hook 12may be secured to the crosspiece 14 to cooperate with eyes 13-13 on theunder surface of the top to lock the legs 3-3 in position behind thedesired stop. Dowels or crosspieces 14, 15, 16 and 17 may be provided toreinforce the legs. The shelf 6 being pivoted between the outer legs 2-2is wide enough at its pivoted end to substantially fill the spacebetween said legs as shown in Fig. '7, while its free end must be narrowenough to fit between the inner legs 3-3 in an erected position. I havenarrowed the shelf at 18-18 since by narrowing it at about such a pointwhen the shelf is folded downwardly in collapsing the table (as shown inFigs. 1 and 7) the shelf lies substantially parallel to the legs 2-2. Ifthe shelf were not thus narrowed to about the point 18 it would whenfolded downwardly contact the edges of the legs 3-3 between 18 and 19 inFig. 4.

In the specific embodiment of the shelf shown in Fig. 6 a portion 21 ismade thinner and longer than the edge portions 20-20. With such a shelf,by placing the pivot 7-7 midway between the crosspiece l5 and thecrosspiece 4 the shelf may be folded either upwardly (as shown by thedotted position in Fig. 5) or downwardly (as shown by the full lineposition in Fig. 5). In the finally collapsed position the end portion22-23 of the shelf will fit snugly over either the crosspiece 15 or thecrosspiece 4 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 respectively. It is evident,however, that it is not necessary to construct the shelf of twothicknesses since by making the 95 shelf from the pivot '7 to its freeend of a length less than the distance between the pivot 7 and the edge24 of the crosspiece 1 or the edge 25 of the crosspiece'15 the shelfwill fold between the collapsed legs without coming in contact witheither of said crosspieces.

It is also evident that either a shelf of one thickness or a shelf oftwo or more thicknesses may be extended on. either or both ends as shownin Fig. 8, thus giving a longer shelf than the one illustrated in Figs.1 to 7 inclusive. By decreasing the diameter or thickness. of either oneor both of the crosspieces 15 and 4 such an extended shelf of onethickness may be satisfactorily folded since the shelf will fit abovesuch a crosspiece as shown in Fig. 8.

It will be noted that for the purposes of complete collapsibility it ispreferred to locate the 5 pivots 77 near enough to the upperlongitudinal edges 26-26 of the legs 22 so that in folding, as shown inFigs. 3, l and 8, the upper surface of the shelf will lie substantiallyparallel to the edges 2626 of the legs 22. If the pivots 7--7 arelocated at too great a distance from the edges 26-26 of the legs 2-2 theshelf 6 may not lie parallel in collapsed position to the edges 2626 ofthe legs 22. It will also be noted that by locating the pivots 7-7 atpoints on the respective outer legs 2-2 substantially equie distant fromthe crosspieces 4 and 15 and by making the shelf of the proper lengthand/or thickness, the shelf may be folded either upwardly or downwardlyin collapsing the table.

A collapsible table and the like constructed in the manner describedabove provides a durable and economical table readily and easily set upor collapsed, which is provided with a shelf affording a maximum amountof supporting space which does not detract from the appearance of thetable and which can be folded compactly for storage.

It should be understood that the present dis- ,closure is for thepurpose of illustration only and that this invention includes allmodifications legs need not be a crosspiece but may be in the andequivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims, forexample, the inner pair of legs may be pivotally attached to the tabletop instead of the outer legs; the pivot 4 for the form of twoindividual pivots one for each set of cross legs without a connectionbetween the two pivots; the pivot 7-7 need not be placed midway betweenthe crosspieces 15 and 4; the "free end of the shelf may be supported inhorizontal position by other than the disclosed means; the points ofnarrowing the free end of the shelf may be varied and the thinnerportion of the two thickness type of shelf may be limitedto a distanceequal to the distance 22-23 (Fig. 6)

or otherwise. I claim:

1. A collapsible table comprising a top, an in- ,,ner pair of legs andan outer pair of legs pivotal- "ly secured to each other intermediatetheir ends,

a pivotal connection between one of the pairs of legs and the table top,a shelf pivotally secured to one of said pairs of legs, and means forsup- .7 porting said shelf in substantially horizontal position whensaid table is in erected position, said shelf being collapsible byswinging its free end upwardly toward the table top.

2. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs piv- "btally secured to each other intermediate theirends, a pivotal connection between one of the pairs of legs and thetable top, a shelf pivotally secured to the outer pair of legs and meansfor supporting said shelf in substantially horizontal position when saidtable is in erected position, said shelf being collapsible by swingingits free end upwardly toward the table top.

3. A collapsible table comprising a top, an

secured to the outer pair of legs, and means upon the inner pair of legsfor supporting said inner pair of legs and an outer pair of legs shelfin substantially horizontal position when said table is in erectedposition, said shelf being collapsible by swinging its free end upwardlytoward the table top.

4. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other intermediate theirends, a pivotal connection between one of the pairs of legs and thetable top, a shelf pivotally secured to the outer pair of legs, andmeans for supporting said shelf in substantially horizontal positionwhen said table is in erected position, said shelf having its free endnarrower than its pivoted end .to allow the shelf to fit between theinner pair of legs in erected position, said legs and shelf being soconstructed that they may be collapsed to lie substantially flat againstthe under surface of the table top.

5. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other intermediate theirends, a pivotal connection between one of the pairs of legs and thetable top, a shelf pivotally secured to the outer pair of legs and meansupon the inner pair of legs for supporting said shelf in substantiallyhorizontal position when said table is in erected position, said shelfhaving its free end narrower than its pivoted end to allow the shelf tofit between the inner pair of legs both in erected and in collapsedposition, said legs and shelf being so constructed that they may becollapsed to lie substantially flat against the under surface of thetable top.

6. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other intermediate theirends, a pivotal connection between one of the pairs of legs and thetable top, a shelf pivotally secured to the outer pair of legs, andmeans for supporting said shelf in substantially horizontal positionwhen said table is in erected position, said shelf having its free endnarrower than its pivoted end to allow the shelf to fit between theinner pair of legs both in erected and in collapsed position, said shelfhaving a diminished thickness adjacent its free end to allow the shelfto fit over the crosspiece between the intersections of the legs incollapsed position, said legs and shelf being so constructed that theymay be collapsed to lie substantially flat against the under surface ofthe table top.

7. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inher pair of legs andanouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other intermediate theirends, a pivotal connection between one of the pairs of legs and thetable top, a shelf pivotally secured to the outer pair of legs, andmeans upon the inner pair of legs for supporting said I said legs andshelf being so constructed that they may be collapsed to liesubstantially fiat against the under surface of the table top.

8. Acollapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other intermediate theirends, a pivotal connection between one of the pairs of legs and thetable top, a shelf pivotally 'secured to the outer pair of legs, andmeans for supporting said shelf in substantially horizontal positionwhen said table is in erected position, said pivotal connection betweenthe shelf and the outer pair of legs being located at a distance fromthe upper longitudinal edge of said outer pair of legs equal tosubstantially one-half the thickness of the thickest portion of saidshelf, said legs and shelf being so constructed and arranged that theymay be collapsed to lie substantially fiat against the under surface ofthe table top.

9. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other intermediate theirends, a crosspiece between the intersections of said pairs of legs, apivotal connection between one of the pairs of legs and the table top, ashelf pivotally secured to the outer pair of legs, and means forsupporting said shelf in substantially horizontal position when saidtable is in erected position, said pivotal connection between the shelfand the outer pair of legs being located at a distance from the upperlongitudinal edge of said outer pair of legs equal to substantiallyone-half the thickness of the thickest portion of said shelf, said shelfhaving a length between said pivotal connection and the free end equalto or less than the distance between said pivotal connection and thenearest point on the crosspiece between the intersections of the twopairs of legs, said legs and shelf being so constructed and arrangedthat they may be collapsed to lie substantially flat against the undersurface of the table top.

10. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other intermediate theirends, a crosspiece between the intersections of said pairs of legs, apivotal connection between one of the pairs of legs and the table top, ashelf pivotally secured to theouter pair of legs, and means forsupporting said shelf in substantially horizontal position when saidtable is in erected position, said shelf having a length between saidpivotal connection and the free end equal to or less than the distancebetween said pivotal connection and the nearest point on the crosspiecebetween the intersections of the two pairs of legs, said legs and shelfbeing so constructed and arranged that they may be collapsed to liesubstantially flat against the under surface of the table top.

11. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other, a crosspiece betweenthe intersections of said pairs of legs, a pivotal connection betweenthe outer pair of legs and the table top, a shelf pivotally secured tothe outer pair of legs, and means upon the inner faces of the inner pairof legs for supporting said shelf in substantially horizontal positionwhen the table is in erected position, the pivotal connections betweenthe shelf and said outer legs being located at a distance from the upperlongitudinal edges of said outer legs equal to substantially one-halfthe thickness of the thickest portion of said shelf, said shelf havingits free end narrower than its pivoted end for a distance sufficient toallow the shelf to fit between the inner pair of legs both in erectedand in collapsed position, said shelf having its free end of a thicknessnot greater than the space between the crosspiece and the upperlongitudinal edge of said outer legs so that the shelf can fit over saidcrosspiece in collapsed position, said legs and shelf being so arrangedand constructed that they may be collapsed to lie substantially flatagainst the undersurface of the table top.

12. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other, a crosspiece betweenthe intersections of said pair of legs, a pivotal connection between theouter pair of legs and the table top, a shelf pivotally secured to theouter pair of legs, means upon the inner legs for supporting said shelfin substantially horizontal position when the table is in erectedposition, and a crosspiece between the upper end of said outer pair oflegs, said pivotal connections between the shelf and said outer legsbeing located at a distance from the upper longitudinal edges of saidouter legs substantially equal to one-half the thickness of the thickestportion of said shelf, said pivotal connections being also located atpoints on the respective outer legs substantially equidistant from saidcrosspieces, said shelf having its free end narrower than its pivotedend for a distance sufficient to allow the shelf to fit between theinner pair of legs both in erected and in collapsed position, said shelfhaving its free end of a thickness not greater than the space betweenthe crosspieces and the upper longitudinal edges of said outer legs, sothat the shelf can be collapsed by folding either upwardly or downwardlyand fit over either 'of said corsspieces in collapsed position, saidlegs and shelf being so arranged and constructed that they may becollapsed to lie substantially flat against the under surface of thetable top.

13. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other, a crosspiece betweenthe intersections of said pairs of legs, a pivotal connection betweenone pair of legs and the table top, a shelf pivotally secured to theouter pair of legs, and means upon the inner faces of the inner pair oflegs for supporting said shelf in substantially horizontal position whenthe table is in erected position, the pivotal connections between theshelf and said outer legs being located at a distance from the upperlongitudinal edges of said outer legs equal to substantially one-halfthe thickness of the thickest portion of said shelf, said shelf havingits free end narrower than its pivoted end for a distance sufficient toallow the shelf to fit between the inner pair of legs both in erectedand in collapsed position, said shelf having its free end of a thicknessnot greater than the space between the crosspiece and the upperlongitudinal edge of said outer legs so that the shelf can fit over saidcrosspiece in collapsed position, said legs and shelf being so arrangedand constructed that they may be collapsed to lie substantially flatagainst the under surface of the table top.

14. A collapsible table comprising a top, an inner pair of legs and anouter pair of legs pivotally secured to each other, a crosspiece betweenthe intersections of said pairs of legs, a pivotal connection betweenone pair of legs and the table top, a shelf pivotally secured to theouter pair of legs, means upon the inner legs for supporting said shelfin substantially horizontal position when the table is in erectedposition, and a crosspiece between the upper end of said outer pair oflegs, said pivotal connections between the shelf and said outer legsbeing located at a distance from the upper longitudinal edges of saidouter legs substantially equal to one-half the thickness of the thickestportion of said shelf, said pivotal connections being also located atpoints on the respective outer legs substantially equidistant foldingeither upwardly or downwardly and fit over either of said crosspieces incollapsed position, said legs and shelf being so arranged andconstructed that they may be collapsed to lie substantially fiat againstthe under surface of the table top.

GUY 0. McKENNEY.

. CERTIFICATE OF GORRECTIQN.

Patent N0. 1,961,241. June 5, 1934.

GUY C. McKENNEY.

It is hereby cenifi-ed aha: error appears rr the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,line 141, claim 7, for "coliapsible" read enllapsed; page 3, line 194,ciaim 12 for "corsepieces read crosspieces; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with these corrections therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of July, A. I), 1934,

Bryan M. Battey (Seal) Acting Commissioner 01 Patents.

